HAZARIBAG: Inaugurating the 21st annual general meeting of the Damodar Mahila Mandal, the biggest self-help group federation in eastern India at Barhi on Friday, Govind Kelkar, adviser, United Nations, Asia, exhorted the women present there to continue with their fight for equality with men and once they achieve this they will rule in every sphere of life.

She said 84% women in rural India work in the field and play a dominant role in increasing food production, but they do not have the right to their land and bulk share of the produce of foodgrains.

"Once they achieve their goal of getting economic rights and have their hold over land, they will be recognized in this male-dominated country for their dignity and strength," said Kelkar.

She termed the huge gathering of rural women at the DMM as "revolutionary". She was happy to learn that women are ready to assist men and are demanding roads, food, drinking water and health care as their right.

There are in all 907 SHGs formed by the DMM consisting of 13,175 women and providing employment to 7,002 families.